Severe Weather

Fairbanks Curve repaving begins

A notoriously dangerous stretch of Interstate 4 is getting a temporary fix this weekend, and that is snarling westbound traffic from Altamonte Springs to the Fairbanks Curve.

Officials said drivers can expect slow-moving traffic on I-4 throughout the weekend. Department of Transportation construction crews have closed off two lanes of traffic near the Fairbanks Curve, trying to fix what has been an area with many collisions.

Cars were backed up to the Altamonte Springs exit Saturday morning. One of the two closed lanes is scheduled to reopen around noon on Saturday.

Crews will be working on the roadway throughout the weekend, and drivers can expect similar traffic issues Sunday.

Only eight months after the Department of Transportation spent $221,000 to make the Fairbanks Curve on I-4 westbound safer, wrecks continue to pile up, especially during rain.

When DOT spokesman Steve Olson was asked if the work was a waste of money he said no.

"No, because the drainage system, I mean we had to try something," said Olson. "And we put in some drainage and did some grooving. No it's not a waste of money."

Olson also said a new warning sign just before the curve has reduced the number of crashes -- but, drivers disagree.

"It's dangerous. Dangerous and it seems like they have been spending a lot of money fixing it and it really hasn't fixed the problem," said Christopher Shimp.

The DOT is now spending $377,000 to cover up the grooved, cement pavement with asphalt, which will smooth out the bumps and should improve drainage during storms. The road will also be re-striped to better align with the surface on either side of the curve.

Some drivers said they are glad something is being done and hope it will prevent accidents which keep slowing them down.

"It can be 30, 40 minutes, even a two-hour wait," said driver Linda Tindell. "I think it will be good that we get it fixed."

The DOT warns no resurfacing job can make up for speeding drivers who ignore hazardous conditions.

"And we can't fix that, but we can do some engineering and make it safer and that's what we're trying to do out there," said Olson.

Crews will be laying down asphalt on the curve westbound only between 5 a.m. and 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Two lanes will be closed between 5 a.m. and noon each day, and from noon until 5 p.m., one lane will be closed.

A permanent fix for the Fairbanks Curve won't come until I-4 is completely rebuilt and that project could be years down the road.